Joy Division were one of those bands that didn't have huge success while they were around but influenced many to start bands and take the path of making music with emotional intensity and dark atmospheres. U2, Radiohead, The Cure and many others readily give credit to Joy Division for inspiration.
After lead singer Ian Curtis took his own life in 1980 the band and their music were elevated to a mythic level. Their last album Closer, recorded shortly before Curtis' death, is basically a suicide note. The remaining members continued on under the name New Order with great success through the 80's and 90's. But Joy Division's dark and tragic past was always hovering over them.
Despite the brooding anthems and the dire conclusion of the band, bassist Peter Hook has written an account that somehow injects a little humor to the legend and brings the mythos down to earth. In Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division, Hook presents a first hand account of young Punks banging it out in crappy empty clubs and freezing vans like any other struggling band. Stories of boyish pranks and chaotic live performances show that these Gothic Lords were more than just a pantheon to doom and gloom. The book also touches on the mazing story of the Factory record label and their mission to keep it very real.
I spoke to bassist Peter Hook by phone and despite his reputation and self confessed pleasure for making interviews awkward and difficult he was very pleasant. Check out the interview below:
Here's Joy Division's first full length album Unknown Pleasures:
This is a 1979 Television performance:
I also reccomend the movies 24 Hour Party People which is very entertaining(even if you're not a Joy Division fan) and the beautifully filmed Control.
Lexington's own Rachel Dratch has gone from self confessed High School Drama Geek to Chicago's Second City Comedy troupe which was a training ground for many Saturday Night Live alums such as Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray, and her idol Gilda Radner. Dratch later ended up on SNL creating some of it's most beloved characters like Debbie Downer, drunk Lexington High School teen Denise McDonough, and awkward Middle School Radio host Sheldon. Her latest is One Night Stand, a project that involves writers and actors creating plays in day. The whole process can be seen in the documentary which will be shown tomorrow at these area theaters. Check out my interview with Rachel below:
For the "By Crooked Steps" video Soundgarden went with Director/Rock Star Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters who has made pretty great videos with his own band. Soundgarden make dark, brooding, heavy music and Grohl manages to inject a little humor into the mix with the use of one of the most ridiculed vehicles of all time: The Segway. Despite Soundgarden riding these Bad Motor Geek Machines..they still remain nerdy. Great video guys!
German DJ FLULA has recruited his parents for a cover of Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes. With his father on accordion and his mom taking the wheel of the family vehicle, FLULA pumps it out while on a tour of the neighborhood.
Whether you're traversing time and space to confront a potentially species obliterating crisis or you're just trying to make a deadline by COB, life can get overwhelming. Sometimes you need more than a Sonic Screwdriver(cocktail or otherwise) to relieve stress. Take a few minutes and relax to the soothing tones of a friendly Dalek. You'll be glad you did.
In light of the incredible reporting by Deadspin on the Manti Te’o story, I think some reflection is required for those of you who are currently in a serious relationship with someone on the internet, who you’ve yet to meet in person. I’m not saying that everyone on the interwebs is not who they say they are but there may be some simple questions you want to ask yourself so that you don’t find yourself in the unenviable situation that the Notre Dame Linebacker finds himself in today.
1)Does the internet fiancé you met on Plenty of Fish sometimes confuse you with their choice of phrasing. For instance, when you ask what she’s doing over the weekend, does she ever write back “that she and the guys are going to Hooters to get wings, beer and to creep on chicks”
2)Has the girl you met on the internet last week, and fell head over heels in love with, ever asked you to deposit $50,000 in an offshore account so she can collect $2,000,000, which the two of you can share?
3)Do you ever email a sonnet to your internet girlfriend and get an “out of office” reply email from Josh in Accounting?
4)Has the smoking hot 23 year old college girl you met on Chat Roulette ever accidentally messaged you on X-Box live under the gamer name “Big Rod Randy”?
5)When you and your internet fiancé talk about future plans post marriage, does she ever suggest that the two of you live apart while you play in the NFL, and that you send her monthly checks so she can support the child you two are having, who was actually born before you met?
I don’t want to alarm you. I sure most on-line only relationships, unlike Manti’s are real. It’s just the cynic in me who thinks you may want to do a little more prying, and actually take the step of meeting your beloved in person, before you commit too much.
As always, Jason Newsted is NOT at a loss for words. How could you be, when you've lived a life like his. In this interview, Jason talks about his musical history, his inspiration for the new songs, his days in Metallica, and his relationship with his former bandmates. He was also candid talking about his missteps with painkillers, recovering from his injuries, and his new love of painting. Jason Newsted has a true Rock N Roll life story, and he isn't shy about telling it. He is friendly, open, honest, funny at times, and serious at others. His passion and lust for life are evident, and the world is a better place when he is inspired and creating art, in any form.
Thanks for the talk Jason, and I look forward to standing "around the keg" with you!
Dave Grohl's Sound City documentary is packed with Rock Star guests: Paul McCartney, Rick Nielsen(Cheap Trick), Rick Springfield, Trent Reznor(Nine Inch Nails), Stevie Nicks... As is the soundtrack, Sound City Real To Reel.
Here's a recently released track called "From Can To Can't" featuring Corey Taylor(Stone Sour, Slipknot), Rick Nielsen, Bassist Scott Reeder(Kyuss, The Obsessed), and Grohl.
Here's the Tracklist for Sound City Real To Reel which comes out March 12:
01. Robert Levon Been, Dave Grohl, Peter Hayes – "Heaven And All"
02. Chris Goss, Tim Commerford, Dave Grohl, Brad Wilk – "Time Slowing Down"
03. Stevie Nicks, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee – "You Can't Fix This"
04. Rick Springfield, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear – "The Man That Never Was"
04. Lee Ving, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Alain Johannes, Pat Smear – "Your Wife Is Calling"
06. Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Rick Nielsen, Scott Reeder – "From Can To Can't"
07. Joshua Homme, Chris Goss, Dave Grohl, Alain Johannes – "Centipede"
08. Alain Johannes, Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme – "A Trick With No Sleeve"
09. Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear – "Cut Me Some Slack"
10. Dave Grohl, Jessy Greene, Rami Jaffee, Jim Keltner – "If I Were Me"
11. Dave Grohl, Joshua Homme, Trent Reznor – "Mantra"
DEVICE ANNOUNCE SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM
COLLABORATION FEATURING DAVID DRAIMAN FROM DISTURBED OUT APRIL 9, 2013
January 14, 2013 - Device has announced the release of its self-titled debut album on April 9, 2013 via Warner Bros Records. Modern hard rock icon David Draiman of Disturbed, co wrote and recorded the album with Geno Lenardo [formerly of Filter].
"It's not metal", Draiman says. "It's influenced by early Industrial rock (I.E. Nine Inch Nails/Ministry) and has a dark electronic vibe. At the same time, these are big, anthemic, and intensely melodic songs. It's futuristic rock."
Upon finishing the writing and recording process, Draiman enlisted Evanescence drummer Will Hunt, and Dope and Rock of Ages guitarist Virus; the three comprise the touring incarnation of Device.
The self-titled album features guest artists like Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion), M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold) and Lizzy Hale from Halestorm. First single, "“Vilify"” goes to radio February 19th.
Visit http://facebook.com/devicetheband and http://twitter.com/devicetheband for more info. Tour dates to be announced soon.
My Dick is a Boston duo comprised of members Cool Hand and Hand Solo. While some may label them as a cover band, they have way more girth than the average function band. My Dick "Dick-ifys" legendary Pop hits. They pound the song raw making it full of My Dick's unmistakable character. Check out My Dick's "Double Full Length Release" below. Just lay back and enjoy it.
